Re: William Duskey

Update on Wiliam Duskey. After further research I have found more accurate info on William. I found his name as John. W. Duskey on the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900.Probably John William Duskey.Info from Betty Brown ( grand daughter ) shows name as William M. Duskey. [ Betty Kennedy ]

John was orphaned by age 12.After he was orphaned, he lived with a Glass family and later with a Charlie Black family.I have been told by a family member that he had a sister, but have found no records of such.

He was a guide on the Mississippi River for people who needed someone to show them how to get around, mainly those coming to southern Illinois from St. Louis, Misssouri.In fact, Betty Brown states there is a Buoy on the Mississippi River named the "William Duskey Buoy" after him. Info from Dot Sisk.

1880 census shows John, age 12, living with the Simon Glass family.It also shows John & parents born in Indiana.How accurate this is I don't know, as family members from John's second family state he came from Germany. He did speak some German.His parents were from Germany, per Betty Brown, grand daughter. .Did John state parents birthplace as Indiana or did Glass family?Also 1880 census has Duskey name spelled Dusky. [ Betty Kennedy ]

Source Information: Census Place Allison, Lawrence, Illinois Family History Library Film 1254224 NA Film Number T9-0224 Page Number 22A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John seemed to go by William, most of his life.Probably his middle name.His & Maggie's marriage license, which I found in summer of 2002 shows his name as John W. Duskey & age 22, born in Indiana.Most of his family knew him as William.Some were surprised to find out his name was John W. Duskey.

The 1880 census, as well as marriage license to Maggie ( Margaret ) Soden shows John W. Duskey as name.The 1920 & 1930 census shows him as William & living in Union County, Illinois, with second wife, ( Lucinda Duskey-nee Sisk ) & family. Occupation on census states fisherman on Mississippi River.On his marriage license to Maggie it shows his parents as James Duskey & Rebecca Biggs. Both born Indiana.I found in the Indiana marriages 1845-1920, a J.A. Duskey & R.A. Biggs married 1863, Knox County.Five years before John was born.Believe this to be his parents. All three census of John William's, states parents born Indiana. The 1930 Illinois census shows him listed as William Duskey.Perhaps it was John's grandparents who came from Germany, instead of his parents. The German info comes from relatives of John's second family. ( Betty M. Kennedy )

2004: Found marriage of James H. Duskey & Rebecca Ann Biggs, March 23, 1863, in Knox County, Indiana records. married by John Barkman_Justice of the Peace Marriage certificate filed on April 13, 1863 at Knox County Courthouse, Vincennes, Indiana. Clerk: Henry S.Cauthers

Belive these are the names of John's parents, as listed on his marriage cert. Rebecca's father was Issac Biggs, born Indiana. Any info on James Duskey,Rebecca Biggs & Isaac Biggs, would be greatly appreciated Betty Kennedy